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The effect of gamma irradiation on glycoalkaloid and chlorophyll synthesis in seven potato cultivars
Author(s) -
Dale M F B,
Griffiths D W,
Bain H,
Goodman B A
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0010(199710)75:2<141::aid-jsfa848>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - glycoalkaloid , cultivar , gamma irradiation , postharvest , horticulture , chlorophyll , irradiation , biology , sprouting , agronomy , chemistry , solanaceae , biochemistry , physics , nuclear physics , gene
The use of gamma irradiation to control sprouting and increase the length of storage time of potatoes has been proposed as an alternative to cold storage or the use of chemical sprout suppressants. Indeed, it is applied on a commercial‐scale to potatoes in Japan. This research reports on the effects of different levels of gamma irradiation on seven potato cultivars in relation to chlorophyll and glycoalkaloid synthesis on subsequent exposure to light after a period of storage. There were significant genotype differences between cultivars in their response to gamma irradiation, with some cultivars exhibiting dramatically reduced levels of glycoalkaloid synthesis compared with others. Also, cultivars responded differently to variable irradiation levels. The implications of the results are discussed in relation to public health concerns and selection within potato breeding programmes. © 1997 SCI.